US presidential election winner Donald Trump on Wednesday (Nov. 13) tapped 43-year-old former Democratic Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard as the new Director of National Intelligence (DNI). While declaring Gabbard’s nomination, Trump described her as a “proud Republican” with a “fearless spirit.”

“As a former Candidate for the Democrat Presidential Nomination, she has broad support in both Parties - She is now a proud Republican!” Trump said. “I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our intelligence community, championing our constitutional rights and securing peace through strength,” he added.

Gabbard is mistakenly believed to be one sharing Indian heritage, but she doesn’t have any direct link to the South Asian country.

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Hindus &amp; religious minorities in Bangladesh continue to be targeted &amp; persecuted, as they have been since 1971 when the Pakistani army systematically murdered, raped &amp; drove from their homes millions of Bengali Hindus because of their religion &amp; ethnicity. <a href="https://t.co/4DVWibzrkT">pic.twitter.com/4DVWibzrkT</a>
— Tulsi Gabbard 🌺 (@TulsiGabbard) <a href="https://twitter.com/TulsiGabbard/status/1377962769861943297?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 2, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Being an army veteran herself, she has long voiced her strong opposition to the US Army’s overseas deployment.

Watch:&nbsp;US: Trump Names Marco Rubio as Secretary of State in New Cabinet, Who Is He?

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As the first Hindu Congresswoman in the US, she has grabbed headlines in the past for condemning violence against Hindus in nations like Pakistan and Bangladesh.

<h2>Tulsi: A voice for Hindus in the Trump administration</h2>

Tulsi is named after a sacred plant in Hinduism. She is a lifelong vegetarian and a proud Hindu, whose US-born mother embraced Hinduism and raised her children in the tradition.

In 2021, she moved a resolution in the US Congress over violence against Hindus in Bangladesh following repeated atrocities and even called for action against the Pakistan Army for its violence against Hindus in 1971, when erstwhile East Pakistan gained independence and was proclaimed as Bangladesh. &nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwiX08Co3NuJAxWNsFYBHfPML_0QxfQBKAB6BAgNEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/a-secured-hold-on-govt-republicans-win-enough-seats-to-control-the-us-house-776018" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/world/a-secured-hold-on-govt-republicans-win-enough-seats-to-control-the-us-house-776018&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiX08Co3NuJAxWNsFYBHfPML_0QxfQBKAB6BAgNEAE">A secured hold on govt: Republicans win enough seats to control the US House</a>

During the 1971 violence, the Pakistani Army launched targeted attacks on Bengali Hindus after driving them out from their homes. The resolution by Gabbard mentioned that more than 2-3 million people were killed in the violence.

In 2017, Tulsi was elected as the co-chair of the India Caucus of the House of Representatives.&nbsp;Following that, she highlighted Pakistan’s role in fuelling terrorism in India’s Kashmir and also in Afghanistan.

(With inputs from agencies)

US presidential election winner Donald Trump on Wednesday (Nov. 13) tapped 43-year-old former Democratic Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard as the new Director of National Intelligence (DNI).

US presidential election winner Donald Trump on Wednesday (Nov. 13) tapped 43-year-old former Democratic Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard as the new Director of National Intelligence (DNI). While declaring Gabbard’s nomination, Trump described her as a “proud Republican” with a “fearless spirit.” “As a former Candidate for the Democrat Presidential Nomination, she has broad support in both Parties - She is now a proud Republican!” Trump said. “I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our intelligence community, championing our constitutional rights and securing peace through strength,” he added. Gabbard is mistakenly believed to be one sharing Indian heritage, but she doesn’t have any direct link to the South Asian country. Hindus & religious minorities in Bangladesh continue to be targeted & persecuted, as they have been since 1971 when the Pakistani army systematically murdered, raped & drove from their homes millions of Bengali Hindus because of their religion & ethnicity. pic.twitter.com/4DVWibzrkT — Tulsi Gabbard 🌺 (@TulsiGabbard) April 2, 2021 × Being an army veteran herself, she has long voiced her strong opposition to the US Army’s overseas deployment. Watch: US: Trump Names Marco Rubio as Secretary of State in New Cabinet, Who Is He? × As the first Hindu Congresswoman in the US, she has grabbed headlines in the past for condemning violence against Hindus in nations like Pakistan and Bangladesh. Tulsi: A voice for Hindus in the Trump administration Tulsi is named after a sacred plant in Hinduism. She is a lifelong vegetarian and a proud Hindu, whose US-born mother embraced Hinduism and raised her children in the tradition. In 2021, she moved a resolution in the US Congress over violence against Hindus in Bangladesh following repeated atrocities and even called for action against the Pakistan Army for its violence against Hindus in 1971, when erstwhile East Pakistan gained independence and was proclaimed as Bangladesh. Also read: A secured hold on govt: Republicans win enough seats to control the US House During the 1971 violence, the Pakistani Army launched targeted attacks on Bengali Hindus after driving them out from their homes. The resolution by Gabbard mentioned that more than 2-3 million people were killed in the violence. In 2017, Tulsi was elected as the co-chair of the India Caucus of the House of Representatives. Following that, she highlighted Pakistan’s role in fuelling terrorism in India’s Kashmir and also in Afghanistan. (With inputs from agencies)

When Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s pick for US intelligence head, blasted Pak for violence against Hindus

Court officials have revealed that a key suspect and his accomplice, who allegedly incited the recent violence against the minority Hindu community in Bangladesh, have confessed to their crimes in a pre-trial hearing.

In addition to instigating the recent violence, they have been accused of fanning communal hatred on social media.

On Sunday, Shaikat Mandal admitted to a magistrate that it was his Facebook post that led to the violence on October 17 in Rangpur, Pirganj sub-district during Durga Puja festivities in the country.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-riots-police-arrest-iqbal-hossain-man-suspected-of-placing-quran-at-durga-puja-pandal-422953">Bangladesh riots: Police arrest Iqbal Hossain, man suspected of placing Quran at Durga Puja Pandal</a>

"Shaikat Mandal and his accomplice Rabiul Isam have admitted their role before a senior judicial magistrate Delwar Hossain in (north-western) Rangpur," the court official told newsmen.

Mandal's accomplice Rabiul Islam, a 36-year-old cleric has been accused of looting and arson.

Police arrested the suspects from Gazipur on Friday as part of a raid and booked them under the Digital Security Act.

Mandal, a philosophy student at Rangpur's Carmichael College was expelled from Chhatra League, the student wing of the ruling Awami League after being arrested.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/dhaka-to-see-hunger-strike-for-demands-of-safety-of-minorities-423258">Dhaka to see hunger strike for demands of safety of minorities</a>

According to a bdnews24.Com report, a Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) official said that Mandal uploaded objectionable content to Facebook to increase his followers. The official also disclosed that Islam helped Mandal incite Muslims in the village through a loudspeaker announcement on Friday.

According to authorities, the violence was started after a rumour spread in Pirganj that a Hindu man had posted religiously offensive content on Facebook.

So far, seven people have confessed to crimes under pre-trial legal proceedings, and with 683 arrests, more than 70 cases have been filed against 24,000 suspects, most of whom are anonymous, according to reports.

Also read |&nbsp;​​​​​​​<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-anti-hindu-violence-man-placing-holy-quran-at-comilla-shrine-identified-as-iqbal-hossain-422522">Bangladesh anti-Hindu violence: Man placing Holy Quran at Comilla shrine identified as Iqbal Hossain</a>

According to RAB officials, other than Mandal and Islam, suspects under arrest include Iqbal Hossain, who allegedly placed a Quran at a Durga Puja venue in Cumilla, as well as Fayez Ahmed, who had posted a video of the Quran at the Puja venue.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas Plus: Is Bangladesh a Secular state?

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-plus-is-bangladesh-a-secular-state-423362/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Approximately 70 Hindu homes were set on fire during the mayhem that ensued on October 17.

In Bangladesh, a country with a predominantly Muslim population, ten per cent of the 169 million people are Hindu.

(With inputs from agencies)

Court officials have revealed that a key suspect and his accomplice, who allegedly incited the recent violence against the minority Hindu community in Bangladesh, have confessed to their crimes in a pre-trial hearing.

Court officials have revealed that a key suspect and his accomplice, who allegedly incited the recent violence against the minority Hindu community in Bangladesh, have confessed to their crimes in a pre-trial hearing. In addition to instigating the recent violence, they have been accused of fanning communal hatred on social media. On Sunday, Shaikat Mandal admitted to a magistrate that it was his Facebook post that led to the violence on October 17 in Rangpur, Pirganj sub-district during Durga Puja festivities in the country. Also read | Bangladesh riots: Police arrest Iqbal Hossain, man suspected of placing Quran at Durga Puja Pandal "Shaikat Mandal and his accomplice Rabiul Isam have admitted their role before a senior judicial magistrate Delwar Hossain in (north-western) Rangpur," the court official told newsmen. Mandal's accomplice Rabiul Islam, a 36-year-old cleric has been accused of looting and arson. Police arrested the suspects from Gazipur on Friday as part of a raid and booked them under the Digital Security Act. Mandal, a philosophy student at Rangpur's Carmichael College was expelled from Chhatra League, the student wing of the ruling Awami League after being arrested. Also read | Dhaka to see hunger strike for demands of safety of minorities According to a bdnews24.Com report, a Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) official said that Mandal uploaded objectionable content to Facebook to increase his followers. The official also disclosed that Islam helped Mandal incite Muslims in the village through a loudspeaker announcement on Friday. According to authorities, the violence was started after a rumour spread in Pirganj that a Hindu man had posted religiously offensive content on Facebook. So far, seven people have confessed to crimes under pre-trial legal proceedings, and with 683 arrests, more than 70 cases have been filed against 24,000 suspects, most of whom are anonymous, according to reports. Also read | Bangladesh anti-Hindu violence: Man placing Holy Quran at Comilla shrine identified as Iqbal Hossain According to RAB officials, other than Mandal and Islam, suspects under arrest include Iqbal Hossain, who allegedly placed a Quran at a Durga Puja venue in Cumilla, as well as Fayez Ahmed, who had posted a video of the Quran at the Puja venue. Watch | Gravitas Plus: Is Bangladesh a Secular state? Approximately 70 Hindu homes were set on fire during the mayhem that ensued on October 17. In Bangladesh, a country with a predominantly Muslim population, ten per cent of the 169 million people are Hindu. (With inputs from agencies)

Bangladesh violence: Prime suspect, accomplice confess to instigating communal violence against Hindus

On Tuesday, Bangladesh police arrested 450 people for attacking&nbsp;Hindus in one of the worst episodes of communal unrest in over a decade.

The local media reported that at least six people have died as police tried to restrain angry mobs.

Hundreds of Muslims staged a protest against Hindus in the southeastern district of Noakhali early Friday, accusing them of blasphemous behaviour involving the holy book of&nbsp;Quran.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/hours-after-pms-warning-iskcon-temple-vandalised-in-bangladesh-421103">Hours after PM's warning, ISKCON temple vandalised in Bangladesh</a>

In response, Hindu religious sites have been vandalized, and homes have been attacked.

As a result of the violence during the Durga Puja festival, 71 cases have been filed, a Bangladesh police spokesperson said. According to him, investigations were ongoing after 450 suspected criminals were arrested.

Bangladesh, whose constitution affirms Islam as the state religion while also emphasizing secularism, has long been plagued by communal tensions.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/islam-is-not-our-state-religion-will-revert-to-1972-constitution-bangladesh-minister-after-attack-on-hindus-421645">Islam is not our state religion, will revert to 1972 constitution: Bangladesh Minister after attack on Hindus</a>

Approximately 10 per cent of Bangladesh's population is Hindu.

This unrest is the worst since 2009 when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina took over as leader of the ruling Awami League party.

"Recent attacks on Hindus of Bangladesh, fuelled by hate speech on social media, are against the values of the Constitution and need to stop," tweeted Mia Seppo, the United Nations' resident coordinator in Bangladesh.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Hindus under attack in Bangladesh

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The rights group Amnesty International has also called for an investigation and punishment for those responsible.

On Tuesday, Bangladesh police arrested 450 people for attacking Hindus in one of the worst episodes of communal unrest in over a decade. The local media reported that at least six people have died as police tried to restrain angry mobs.

On Tuesday, Bangladesh police arrested 450 people for attacking Hindus in one of the worst episodes of communal unrest in over a decade. The local media reported that at least six people have died as police tried to restrain angry mobs. Hundreds of Muslims staged a protest against Hindus in the southeastern district of Noakhali early Friday, accusing them of blasphemous behaviour involving the holy book of Quran. Also Read | Hours after PM's warning, ISKCON temple vandalised in Bangladesh In response, Hindu religious sites have been vandalized, and homes have been attacked. As a result of the violence during the Durga Puja festival, 71 cases have been filed, a Bangladesh police spokesperson said. According to him, investigations were ongoing after 450 suspected criminals were arrested. Bangladesh, whose constitution affirms Islam as the state religion while also emphasizing secularism, has long been plagued by communal tensions. Also read | Islam is not our state religion, will revert to 1972 constitution: Bangladesh Minister after attack on Hindus Approximately 10 per cent of Bangladesh's population is Hindu. This unrest is the worst since 2009 when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina took over as leader of the ruling Awami League party. "Recent attacks on Hindus of Bangladesh, fuelled by hate speech on social media, are against the values of the Constitution and need to stop," tweeted Mia Seppo, the United Nations' resident coordinator in Bangladesh. Watch | Gravitas: Hindus under attack in Bangladesh The rights group Amnesty International has also called for an investigation and punishment for those responsible.

Bangladesh violence: Police arrests hundreds for violence against Hindus

The world is faced with pressing issues – climate change, economic growth, inequality, anti-establishment protests and violence. Even as the other issues are receiving some attention, not much is being done with respect to addressing the wave of violence sweeping across the world. It is in this context that it becomes critical to delve into the root cause of violence and strive for a peaceful world. &nbsp;

Violence is not only killing people, but it is also undermining the progress of nations and humane values. What prompts an individual to resort to harming others? &nbsp;As we say this, let us recount, more than 71 soldiers in Nigeria have been killed by 100 militants in the deadliest attack against Niger military, India recently saw some worst crime against women while London and Amsterdam, witnessed multiple stabbing incidents and so on. Amidst this vicious circle of suffering and ferocity is it wishful thinking to strive for a world free of violence? A world without violence might sound utopian or a line straight from the script of a feel-good feature film. But we need to understand that a world without violence is surely attainable, provided we all work towards it. Violence is an attitude, an approach that needs to be dealt skillfully. Crushing protests and dissenting views is not the solution. Violence and aggression as a tendency need to be addressed at an individual, structural and societal level.&nbsp;

If we delve deeper and try to analyse the reasons for violence, we would find that we all are stakeholders in this large-scale violence. Let us analyse the factors contributing to this violence. &nbsp;

Lack of belongingness and trust&nbsp;

It is the lack of belongingness and trust towards our fellow brethren which is giving rise to this cycle of hate and aloofness. The feeling of somebodies or the lack of belongingness has long been driving a wedge between us and others, be it during the era of capitalism, colonialism, or apartheid, where the weak were subjugated at the hands of the powerful. Unless we address the lack of belonging, violence will continue to spread as a wildfire and would be hard to curtail. &nbsp;

The violence could be as small as a quarrel or fight between a husband and wife or can take the form of large-scale violence. As we are growing into a so-called “better off society”, we are trusting each other less. The magnitude of violence being experienced in the 21st century is indeed heartening. Violence is not the nature of man. However, man is the only animal who kills his fellow beings. Other animals rarely kill animals of their fraternity, rather they stand for their protection. &nbsp;

Lack of trust is preventing nations from enjoying the fruits of development. This mistrust between nations is making them allocate billions of dollars in defence budget alone. This amount could very well have gone for nation-building or for providing a social safety net to people. While people living below the poverty line in India have fallen from 70 per cent in 1947 to 22 per cent in 2016, still the fruits of development are still to fully trickle down to all the sections of the society.&nbsp;

Several polls conducted worldwide demonstrate that millennials have far lesser inclination to trust the society, the Government, the judiciary than they used to earlier. Today’s policies, laws and social habits showcase a falling sense of interpersonal trust. Security checks are becoming more rigorous than before given the uncertain times we live in. This didn’t use to be the case earlier. One core reason behind the growing incidence of depression is the feeling of alienation and lack of confidence in our fellow beings. We seldom find an avenue to vent out our feelings or have someone to hear to us impartially while at the same time maintain our confidentiality. If not addressed at the individual level, this takes the form of fear psychosis and becomes social aggression at the societal level. Many of the culprits behind gun-shooting incidents or terror attacks have often been found to be anti-social in character. &nbsp;

Ideologies alienate us&nbsp;

Ideology is the root cause of all violence. Thousands of wars have been fought, still fighting not for any real thing, but just for mere ideologies. The rigid notion that only our ideology is supreme or ours is the only truth have left numerous scars the world over which are hard to heal. The violence during the World War II, the nuclear bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the Cold War era of the 1990s, the 9/11 attacks in the US and 26/11 in India are still fresh in the minds of the people. Sanatan tradition in its unadulterated form is not an ideology but the art of living. The Sanskrit aphorism Ahaṁ Brahmāsmi, meaning “I am the Infinite” has long been propounded by our holy Upanishads. The aphorism signifies that Brahman is the infinite reality, the all-encompassing existence in itself, and only when the ego (somebodies) dies can it be realised. Unless we see the same atman or soul in each of us as the basis of our being, irrespective of caste, creed, race and religion, we won’t be at peace. Our holy scriptures have also advocated that one should see one (God) in many while many in one. The moment one drops ideologies and refuses to be blinded by it, suddenly one becomes aware. And that heightened awareness is the source of peace in and around the world.&nbsp;

Freedom to ask questions&nbsp;

While many may not agree, but we need to encourage people to ask questions. All the greatest inventions of our times and mass political movements, all owe their success to raising pertinent questions. Not providing people an outlet to ask questions and seek a response often gives rise to frustration, pent-up emotions, a feeling of subjugation which then take the shape of violence. &nbsp;

The Indian civilisation right from its inception has encouraged people to ask questions. At a time when asking questions was forbidden in other religions and parts of the world, all major holy scriptures in India - be it the Narada Bhakti Sutra or the Bhagawad Gita have started with a question. India is also the land which gave rise to the Guru-Shishya parampara (Guru-Disciple tradition) where asking questions was encouraged. The prevailing chaos globally could be blamed in part to curbing the dissenting voices and forbidding people from asking relevant questions. Notwithstanding, India has a history of respect for all religions, which is unparalleled in the rest of the world. &nbsp;

Role of language in violence&nbsp;

Not many know, but language too has a role in exacerbating violence. A physical wound may heal sooner, but it may take ages for a verbal scar to heal. Violence is almost always accompanied by language. Anthropologists are right when they say that aggression is biological while violence is social. More than often the accompanying language gives violence its social character. There have been several instances in India where influential public figures have been booked for hate speech and for instigating violence. One can’t also turn a blind eye to language-related violence as seen in Bangladesh, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Maharashtra. Many political parties owe their successes to the linguistic card played by them.&nbsp;

Technology: A boon or a bane&nbsp;

The increased usage of technology and gadgets is subtly contributing to violence. While technology has made it easier to communicate seamlessly, at the same time it has increased levels of alienation. Youth playing games on mobile which involve killing and maiming the enemy often induces a sense of aggression among the teens. The easy access of pornographic material on gadgets is unfortunate too. It has emerged that several pedophiles and sexual predators have been influenced by such material online in committing sexual crimes. The advent of messaging apps such as Whatsapp and Telegram has made it easier for militant outfits to radicalise the youth or recruit them. Many of the ISIS recruits claim to have got influenced by groups created by the outfit on Telegram.&nbsp;

Often, fake and unsubstantiated content is shared on such Messaging Apps, be it the alleged human rights violations in Kashmir or misconceptions regarding the intended purpose of policies as framed by the Government. India has been witnessing widespread protests pertaining to the objective of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and the National Register of Citizens exercise. Unless the policy formulators proactively educate the public correctly about the exact significance of their policies and check rumour-mongering, such chaos is bound to occur as the reality is far from what is projected in these viral posts. Any violence emanating out of the lack of trust for the government’s policies often gives rise to mob-mentality and ends in massive destruction of public property, while claiming lives too. The misuse of the internet by anti-social elements has been one of the key considerations making the Indian government tread with caution in fully restarting internet services in Kashmir post the revocation of Article 370 in August.&nbsp;

Gadgets in a way have become our companion. People tend to spend 14-16 hours with them, even keeping them besides them when sleeping. We get a high when we see our gadgets instantly obeying our commands. However, we become restless and aggressive when our friends and family refuse to respond or interact in the same vein. This needs to be addressed. Gadgets should be used for constructive purposes – learning a new skill, course, meditating, exploring new places or reading something positive.&nbsp;

Way forward 
 
Great things have been accomplished through non-violence. J. Krishnamurti, the enlightened author of Beyond Violence, once wrote: “Violence is like a stone dropped in a lake: the waves spread and spread; at the centre is the ‘me’. As long as the ‘me’ survives in any form, very subtly or grossly, there must be violence.”&nbsp;

There is a mystical incident -- Towards the end of the British Rule in India, when the independence movement was at its peak, some British soldiers captured a Hindu saint on the suspicion that he was a spy. This saint was passing through a military cantonment area, and he had been in silence – observing a Maun Vrat – for 30 years. The soldiers interrogated him, but he chose not to break his “Maun Vrat” (silence). This unusual behaviour strengthened their suspicion and the soldiers became so furious, they stuck a bayonet in his chest. In his last moment, the saint uttered one Sanskrit word: 'Tattvamasi', meaning ‘That Art Thou’. It implies that even the killer is divine even though he is not aware of his divinity.&nbsp;

Non-violence simply means you should be so powerful that nobody can undermine you by being violent towards you. It should not be out of weakness but out of power. Being powerful, you shouldn’t hurt or kill the latter, but rather protect them. You could even empower the other by educating him to shun the path of ignorance, of violence and come back into the mainstream. So, my idea of nonviolence is different from Mahavir, Buddha and Gandhi.&nbsp;

My idea is non-violence should be out of an abundance of power. Don’t use that power to kill, to destroy; but use that power to create, enlighten and protect. And if anybody tries to harm you or anybody else, do everything to prevent that harm.&nbsp;

Violence has to be completely removed from the world, but it can happen only if nonviolent people are powerful; otherwise, how can you manage? If violent people are powerful and non-violent people are powerless, then the violent people will overrule the non-violent. That has been our experience of two thousand years. I don’t support weakness. I support power; but power with compassion, love and creativity. &nbsp;

Given my more than two decades of experience of working in Kashmir, North-east, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Nepal, it is clear that people could be transformed and be made to shun violence by educating them about the constructive power of non-violence and by hearing to them non-judgmentally with compassion. &nbsp;

Furthermore, I feel that all the pressing issues in the world can only be solved through dialogue, and not war or bullets. Be it the decades of civil strife in Columbia or the centuries-long dispute pertaining to the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, both of which witnessed widespread bloodshed in the past, all have been resolved amicably through discussion and dialogue, thus setting a new precedence for our future generations. &nbsp;

Role of spirituality &nbsp;

In the prevailing times, the role of spirituality in addressing violence can’t be under-emphasized. Turning to holy scriptures irrespective of religion, their correct interpretation and education, yoga and meditation can go a long way in creating a society filled with tolerance and compassion. The United Nations recognising the significance of Yoga and declaring 21 June as the International Day of Yoga is laudable in this context. Yoga and meditation is also being taught across prisons the world over and has found a large number of takers. Many convicts feel their life would have been different had they been introduced to it earlier. &nbsp;

It needs to start from our families&nbsp;

Addressing the growing incidents of violence and preventing the societal fabric from deteriorating has become our moral responsibility. Spreading peace and compassion needs to start from our homes. By treating our loved ones with compassion, we can surely encourage them to do the same with others and hope this to have a spiral effect. At the same time, it becomes important to turn to our scriptures. The tenets of non-violence have been extensively propagated for long by them. The mention of non-violence comes before truth in the highly revered Patanjali Yoga Sutra. &nbsp;

Feeling of belongingness and treating others with respect has been one of the key pillars of India’s tradition. It was among the first countries in the world to propagate the message of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, a Sanskrit phrase found in the Maha Upanishad, meaning "the world is one family". It is these ideals which made India to welcome thinkers, scholars and visitors from all over the world. &nbsp;

India never attacked any country on its own in the known history and never tried to colonise any part of the world. It neither advocated that our truth is the only truth nor projected others as non-believers and sinners. India was and will continue to remain a melting pot of the peaceful co-existence of several religions, languages, dialects and cultures. Even as greed, materialism and religious dogma dominate the world, India, despite its shortcomings, still holds the torch that can light a new flame of awakening. The country is well-equipped to deal with any differences of opinion in a peaceful manner&nbsp;

If we all – individuals, society, governments, world leaders, NGOs, civil society, spiritual organisations work in unison for fostering brotherhood and peace, a world without violence is surely attainable.&nbsp; 
 
(Views expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

The world is faced with pressing issues – climate change, economic growth, inequality, anti-establishment protests and violence. Even as the other issues are receiving some attention, not much is being done with respect to addressing the wave of violence sweeping across the world.

The world is faced with pressing issues – climate change, economic growth, inequality, anti-establishment protests and violence. Even as the other issues are receiving some attention, not much is being done with respect to addressing the wave of violence sweeping across the world. It is in this context that it becomes critical to delve into the root cause of violence and strive for a peaceful world. Violence is not only killing people, but it is also undermining the progress of nations and humane values. What prompts an individual to resort to harming others? As we say this, let us recount, more than 71 soldiers in Nigeria have been killed by 100 militants in the deadliest attack against Niger military, India recently saw some worst crime against women while London and Amsterdam, witnessed multiple stabbing incidents and so on. Amidst this vicious circle of suffering and ferocity is it wishful thinking to strive for a world free of violence? A world without violence might sound utopian or a line straight from the script of a feel-good feature film. But we need to understand that a world without violence is surely attainable, provided we all work towards it. Violence is an attitude, an approach that needs to be dealt skillfully. Crushing protests and dissenting views is not the solution. Violence and aggression as a tendency need to be addressed at an individual, structural and societal level. If we delve deeper and try to analyse the reasons for violence, we would find that we all are stakeholders in this large-scale violence. Let us analyse the factors contributing to this violence. Lack of belongingness and trust It is the lack of belongingness and trust towards our fellow brethren which is giving rise to this cycle of hate and aloofness. The feeling of somebodies or the lack of belongingness has long been driving a wedge between us and others, be it during the era of capitalism, colonialism, or apartheid, where the weak were subjugated at the hands of the powerful. Unless we address the lack of belonging, violence will continue to spread as a wildfire and would be hard to curtail. The violence could be as small as a quarrel or fight between a husband and wife or can take the form of large-scale violence. As we are growing into a so-called “better off society”, we are trusting each other less. The magnitude of violence being experienced in the 21st century is indeed heartening. Violence is not the nature of man. However, man is the only animal who kills his fellow beings. Other animals rarely kill animals of their fraternity, rather they stand for their protection. Lack of trust is preventing nations from enjoying the fruits of development. This mistrust between nations is making them allocate billions of dollars in defence budget alone. This amount could very well have gone for nation-building or for providing a social safety net to people. While people living below the poverty line in India have fallen from 70 per cent in 1947 to 22 per cent in 2016, still the fruits of development are still to fully trickle down to all the sections of the society. Several polls conducted worldwide demonstrate that millennials have far lesser inclination to trust the society, the Government, the judiciary than they used to earlier. Today’s policies, laws and social habits showcase a falling sense of interpersonal trust. Security checks are becoming more rigorous than before given the uncertain times we live in. This didn’t use to be the case earlier. One core reason behind the growing incidence of depression is the feeling of alienation and lack of confidence in our fellow beings. We seldom find an avenue to vent out our feelings or have someone to hear to us impartially while at the same time maintain our confidentiality. If not addressed at the individual level, this takes the form of fear psychosis and becomes social aggression at the societal level. Many of the culprits behind gun-shooting incidents or terror attacks have often been found to be anti-social in character. Ideologies alienate us Ideology is the root cause of all violence. Thousands of wars have been fought, still fighting not for any real thing, but just for mere ideologies. The rigid notion that only our ideology is supreme or ours is the only truth have left numerous scars the world over which are hard to heal. The violence during the World War II, the nuclear bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the Cold War era of the 1990s, the 9/11 attacks in the US and 26/11 in India are still fresh in the minds of the people. Sanatan tradition in its unadulterated form is not an ideology but the art of living. The Sanskrit aphorism Ahaṁ Brahmāsmi, meaning “I am the Infinite” has long been propounded by our holy Upanishads. The aphorism signifies that Brahman is the infinite reality, the all-encompassing existence in itself, and only when the ego (somebodies) dies can it be realised. Unless we see the same atman or soul in each of us as the basis of our being, irrespective of caste, creed, race and religion, we won’t be at peace. Our holy scriptures have also advocated that one should see one (God) in many while many in one. The moment one drops ideologies and refuses to be blinded by it, suddenly one becomes aware. And that heightened awareness is the source of peace in and around the world. Freedom to ask questions While many may not agree, but we need to encourage people to ask questions. All the greatest inventions of our times and mass political movements, all owe their success to raising pertinent questions. Not providing people an outlet to ask questions and seek a response often gives rise to frustration, pent-up emotions, a feeling of subjugation which then take the shape of violence. The Indian civilisation right from its inception has encouraged people to ask questions. At a time when asking questions was forbidden in other religions and parts of the world, all major holy scriptures in India - be it the Narada Bhakti Sutra or the Bhagawad Gita have started with a question. India is also the land which gave rise to the Guru-Shishya parampara (Guru-Disciple tradition) where asking questions was encouraged. The prevailing chaos globally could be blamed in part to curbing the dissenting voices and forbidding people from asking relevant questions. Notwithstanding, India has a history of respect for all religions, which is unparalleled in the rest of the world. Role of language in violence Not many know, but language too has a role in exacerbating violence. A physical wound may heal sooner, but it may take ages for a verbal scar to heal. Violence is almost always accompanied by language. Anthropologists are right when they say that aggression is biological while violence is social. More than often the accompanying language gives violence its social character. There have been several instances in India where influential public figures have been booked for hate speech and for instigating violence. One can’t also turn a blind eye to language-related violence as seen in Bangladesh, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Maharashtra. Many political parties owe their successes to the linguistic card played by them. Technology: A boon or a bane The increased usage of technology and gadgets is subtly contributing to violence. While technology has made it easier to communicate seamlessly, at the same time it has increased levels of alienation. Youth playing games on mobile which involve killing and maiming the enemy often induces a sense of aggression among the teens. The easy access of pornographic material on gadgets is unfortunate too. It has emerged that several pedophiles and sexual predators have been influenced by such material online in committing sexual crimes. The advent of messaging apps such as Whatsapp and Telegram has made it easier for militant outfits to radicalise the youth or recruit them. Many of the ISIS recruits claim to have got influenced by groups created by the outfit on Telegram. Often, fake and unsubstantiated content is shared on such Messaging Apps, be it the alleged human rights violations in Kashmir or misconceptions regarding the intended purpose of policies as framed by the Government. India has been witnessing widespread protests pertaining to the objective of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and the National Register of Citizens exercise. Unless the policy formulators proactively educate the public correctly about the exact significance of their policies and check rumour-mongering, such chaos is bound to occur as the reality is far from what is projected in these viral posts. Any violence emanating out of the lack of trust for the government’s policies often gives rise to mob-mentality and ends in massive destruction of public property, while claiming lives too. The misuse of the internet by anti-social elements has been one of the key considerations making the Indian government tread with caution in fully restarting internet services in Kashmir post the revocation of Article 370 in August. Gadgets in a way have become our companion. People tend to spend 14-16 hours with them, even keeping them besides them when sleeping. We get a high when we see our gadgets instantly obeying our commands. However, we become restless and aggressive when our friends and family refuse to respond or interact in the same vein. This needs to be addressed. Gadgets should be used for constructive purposes – learning a new skill, course, meditating, exploring new places or reading something positive. Way forward Great things have been accomplished through non-violence. J. Krishnamurti, the enlightened author of Beyond Violence, once wrote: “Violence is like a stone dropped in a lake: the waves spread and spread; at the centre is the ‘me’. As long as the ‘me’ survives in any form, very subtly or grossly, there must be violence.” There is a mystical incident -- Towards the end of the British Rule in India, when the independence movement was at its peak, some British soldiers captured a Hindu saint on the suspicion that he was a spy. This saint was passing through a military cantonment area, and he had been in silence – observing a Maun Vrat – for 30 years. The soldiers interrogated him, but he chose not to break his “Maun Vrat” (silence). This unusual behaviour strengthened their suspicion and the soldiers became so furious, they stuck a bayonet in his chest. In his last moment, the saint uttered one Sanskrit word: 'Tattvamasi', meaning ‘That Art Thou’. It implies that even the killer is divine even though he is not aware of his divinity. Non-violence simply means you should be so powerful that nobody can undermine you by being violent towards you. It should not be out of weakness but out of power. Being powerful, you shouldn’t hurt or kill the latter, but rather protect them. You could even empower the other by educating him to shun the path of ignorance, of violence and come back into the mainstream. So, my idea of nonviolence is different from Mahavir, Buddha and Gandhi. My idea is non-violence should be out of an abundance of power. Don’t use that power to kill, to destroy; but use that power to create, enlighten and protect. And if anybody tries to harm you or anybody else, do everything to prevent that harm. Violence has to be completely removed from the world, but it can happen only if nonviolent people are powerful; otherwise, how can you manage? If violent people are powerful and non-violent people are powerless, then the violent people will overrule the non-violent. That has been our experience of two thousand years. I don’t support weakness. I support power; but power with compassion, love and creativity. Given my more than two decades of experience of working in Kashmir, North-east, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Nepal, it is clear that people could be transformed and be made to shun violence by educating them about the constructive power of non-violence and by hearing to them non-judgmentally with compassion. Furthermore, I feel that all the pressing issues in the world can only be solved through dialogue, and not war or bullets. Be it the decades of civil strife in Columbia or the centuries-long dispute pertaining to the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, both of which witnessed widespread bloodshed in the past, all have been resolved amicably through discussion and dialogue, thus setting a new precedence for our future generations. Role of spirituality In the prevailing times, the role of spirituality in addressing violence can’t be under-emphasized. Turning to holy scriptures irrespective of religion, their correct interpretation and education, yoga and meditation can go a long way in creating a society filled with tolerance and compassion. The United Nations recognising the significance of Yoga and declaring 21 June as the International Day of Yoga is laudable in this context. Yoga and meditation is also being taught across prisons the world over and has found a large number of takers. Many convicts feel their life would have been different had they been introduced to it earlier. It needs to start from our families Addressing the growing incidents of violence and preventing the societal fabric from deteriorating has become our moral responsibility. Spreading peace and compassion needs to start from our homes. By treating our loved ones with compassion, we can surely encourage them to do the same with others and hope this to have a spiral effect. At the same time, it becomes important to turn to our scriptures. The tenets of non-violence have been extensively propagated for long by them. The mention of non-violence comes before truth in the highly revered Patanjali Yoga Sutra. Feeling of belongingness and treating others with respect has been one of the key pillars of India’s tradition. It was among the first countries in the world to propagate the message of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, a Sanskrit phrase found in the Maha Upanishad, meaning "the world is one family". It is these ideals which made India to welcome thinkers, scholars and visitors from all over the world. India never attacked any country on its own in the known history and never tried to colonise any part of the world. It neither advocated that our truth is the only truth nor projected others as non-believers and sinners. India was and will continue to remain a melting pot of the peaceful co-existence of several religions, languages, dialects and cultures. Even as greed, materialism and religious dogma dominate the world, India, despite its shortcomings, still holds the torch that can light a new flame of awakening. The country is well-equipped to deal with any differences of opinion in a peaceful manner If we all – individuals, society, governments, world leaders, NGOs, civil society, spiritual organisations work in unison for fostering brotherhood and peace, a world without violence is surely attainable. (Views expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Power of non-violence: Issues must be resolved through dialogue, and not violence

This year I have fallen in love with Pakistani grapes. They are bigger, brighter and seem seductive than the other grapes found in the market. I follow the &lsquo;when you want something you want the best&rsquo; policy. So I forget what Bangladeshis had with Pakistan once upon a time and am loving their grapes.

Back in 2013, one sunny day, my US professor expressed his concern about Bangladesh. He heard the news that Bangladesh was slowly drowning because of climate change.

I smiled. That&rsquo;s what the image of Bangladesh is to foreigners. Nothing new. To them, our country is poor, overpopulated and prone to floods.

But those days are gone, gone with the wind. Now that, over the past years, Bangladesh made frequent headlines in the world media. Consecutive killings of bloggers, non-Muslim individuals, and the recent terrorist attack in Gulshan have given Bangladesh a fresh identity.

These days, in the eyes of western citizens, Bangladesh has earned the fame as about-to-be an Islamic fundamentalist nation.

On that sunny day in 2013, I did what any Bangladeshis would have done in my place. I tried to tell my professor about the positive things about Bangladesh. I told him about Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore and Muhammad Yunus, and also proudly added that Amartya Sen was born in Bangladesh.

Later that year I was overjoyed when I met an Australian who&rsquo;d done his PhD on Yunus&rsquo; microcredit theory. Though, I wouldn&rsquo;t reveal him that Bangladeshis have mixed feelings about Yunus. I remember one of my relatives, a devout Muslim, had whined about Yunus&rsquo; Nobel Prize. He said the Jews and non-Muslim westerners had no sense that was why they picked a usurer for this Prize.

In April this year, some Islamic groups in the country protested the Bengali New Year&rsquo;s festivities, terming it un-Islamic and Hindu culture. In 1965, when Bangladesh was East Pakistan, the then government banned Tagore songs from Radio and Television. Two years after, Chayanat, a cultural organisation, started to celebrate Bengali New Year in the capital&rsquo;s Ramna Park to stimulate the Bengali spirit to resist Pakistani rule. It helped. Eventually, the historic mass upsurge took place in 1969.

A few months back, at a park in Dhaka, a school was having its annual school sports function. I heard a Hindi song play at top volume. Chaar Bottle Vodka, which means four bottle vodkas, was the refrain in the song.

The invasion of Hindi movie songs in Bangladesh is overwhelming. So are Indian TV channels. A greater number of households spend their evenings watching Indian TV serials. For the Bangladeshi TV channels lack quality entertainment programs. Typically all they like to broadcast is Talk Shows and news.

Albeit the rising violence against the Hindus in the country, India seems to be the obvious choice for us. According to an Indian government report published recently, one in three foreign patients in India is from Bangladesh.

When it comes to traveling, for most Bangladeshis the taste of first foreign land is India. Last year, tourists from Bangladesh topped the Indian chart; much more Bangladeshis visited Indian than they did the US.

Being Bangladeshi is being surrounded by India, and that is the reality. Naming our culture Hindu culture is ridiculous. It is no less ridiculous to ignore Rabindranath Tagore just because he is a non-Muslim. Tagore, in fact, is not a mere name, he is a culture himself. To deny Tagore means denying our own Bengali culture.

Necessity has no religion. During my stay in Ohio, USA, the first Bengali I met was a man from Kolkata. There was a lot more of Muslim students from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and even from India. But coming across a Bengali guy made all the difference, to whom I could speak Bengali, discuss Bengali literature and culture and, of course, enjoy Bengali food.

That day was a revelation for me as I found the answer to a most plaguing question: Which is more important, language or religion? The answer that came naturally to me is language. Because it&rsquo;s the necessity. I share an intimacy with language which I find lacking in religion. For me language is the present, religion is the future. We live in present, not in future.

&nbsp;

Albeit the rising violence against the Hindus in the country, India seems to be the obvious choice for Bangladeshis

This year I have fallen in love with Pakistani grapes. They are bigger, brighter and seem seductive than the other grapes found in the market. I follow the ‘when you want something you want the best’ policy. So I forget what Bangladeshis had with Pakistan once upon a time and am loving their grapes. Back in 2013, one sunny day, my US professor expressed his concern about Bangladesh. He heard the news that Bangladesh was slowly drowning because of climate change. I smiled. That’s what the image of Bangladesh is to foreigners. Nothing new. To them, our country is poor, overpopulated and prone to floods. But those days are gone, gone with the wind. Now that, over the past years, Bangladesh made frequent headlines in the world media. Consecutive killings of bloggers, non-Muslim individuals, and the recent terrorist attack in Gulshan have given Bangladesh a fresh identity. These days, in the eyes of western citizens, Bangladesh has earned the fame as about-to-be an Islamic fundamentalist nation. On that sunny day in 2013, I did what any Bangladeshis would have done in my place. I tried to tell my professor about the positive things about Bangladesh. I told him about Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore and Muhammad Yunus, and also proudly added that Amartya Sen was born in Bangladesh. Later that year I was overjoyed when I met an Australian who’d done his PhD on Yunus’ microcredit theory. Though, I wouldn’t reveal him that Bangladeshis have mixed feelings about Yunus. I remember one of my relatives, a devout Muslim, had whined about Yunus’ Nobel Prize. He said the Jews and non-Muslim westerners had no sense that was why they picked a usurer for this Prize. In April this year, some Islamic groups in the country protested the Bengali New Year’s festivities, terming it un-Islamic and Hindu culture. In 1965, when Bangladesh was East Pakistan, the then government banned Tagore songs from Radio and Television. Two years after, Chayanat, a cultural organisation, started to celebrate Bengali New Year in the capital’s Ramna Park to stimulate the Bengali spirit to resist Pakistani rule. It helped. Eventually, the historic mass upsurge took place in 1969. A few months back, at a park in Dhaka, a school was having its annual school sports function. I heard a Hindi song play at top volume. Chaar Bottle Vodka, which means four bottle vodkas, was the refrain in the song. The invasion of Hindi movie songs in Bangladesh is overwhelming. So are Indian TV channels. A greater number of households spend their evenings watching Indian TV serials. For the Bangladeshi TV channels lack quality entertainment programs. Typically all they like to broadcast is Talk Shows and news. Albeit the rising violence against the Hindus in the country, India seems to be the obvious choice for us. According to an Indian government report published recently, one in three foreign patients in India is from Bangladesh. When it comes to traveling, for most Bangladeshis the taste of first foreign land is India. Last year, tourists from Bangladesh topped the Indian chart; much more Bangladeshis visited Indian than they did the US. Being Bangladeshi is being surrounded by India, and that is the reality. Naming our culture Hindu culture is ridiculous. It is no less ridiculous to ignore Rabindranath Tagore just because he is a non-Muslim. Tagore, in fact, is not a mere name, he is a culture himself. To deny Tagore means denying our own Bengali culture. Necessity has no religion. During my stay in Ohio, USA, the first Bengali I met was a man from Kolkata. There was a lot more of Muslim students from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and even from India. But coming across a Bengali guy made all the difference, to whom I could speak Bengali, discuss Bengali literature and culture and, of course, enjoy Bengali food. That day was a revelation for me as I found the answer to a most plaguing question: Which is more important, language or religion? The answer that came naturally to me is language. Because it’s the necessity. I share an intimacy with language which I find lacking in religion. For me language is the present, religion is the future. We live in present, not in future.

My love for Bangladesh makes me a Bengali, not necessarily a Muslim